High or coloured water changes how trout and grayling use a river. The increased flow carries more food downstream, but it also creates stronger currents and makes it harder for fish to hold their normal lies. Trout and grayling will often move away from the main force of the river into places where they can feed without expending too much energy.
The first places to look are softer margins, inside bends, backwaters, slacker water behind obstructions and the edges of faster seams. These areas allow fish to shelter from the strongest current while remaining close enough to intercept food being carried downstream. Flooded grass, low-hanging cover and newly submerged banks can also be productive, provided they can be fished safely.
Do not assume that the deepest or fastest water holds the most fish. In high water, the main current can be too powerful for trout and grayling to feed efficiently. Often the best lies are surprisingly close to the bank, where the flow is slower but food is still passing through.
Nymph fishing is usually the most practical method in high water because it allows flies to reach fish feeding below the surface. Use enough weight to get the flies down, but avoid adding weight blindly. The aim is to reach the feeding depth while retaining control of the drift. Heavier nymphs, a weighted point fly or additional shot where permitted can all help, depending on the river and the method being used.
A dry dropper can also be effective when the water is not excessively fast or deep. A large, buoyant dry fly provides visibility and can suspend a nymph in softer edge water. In coloured water, a larger dry fly can also be easier for fish to locate.
Fly choice does not need to become complicated. Larger, more visible nymphs can help fish find the fly in coloured water, but presentation and depth remain more important than colour alone. Patterns with a little contrast, flash or a bright hotspot can be useful, especially when visibility is reduced.
A falling river that is just beginning to lose its colour can provide some of the best trout and grayling fishing of the season, especially in warmer months. The water still carries extra food and gives fish confidence, but it has slowed enough for them to feed more comfortably in accessible lies. We have had some brilliant days in coloured water, particularly when anglers focus on the softer seams and margins rather than waiting for the river to return to perfect clarity.
In high water, cast shorter than usual and concentrate on controlling the drift through specific lies. A long cast across several currents creates drag and makes it difficult to keep the flies at the correct depth. Work each likely seam, margin and pocket thoroughly before moving on.
Safety is part of the method. High water increases current strength, changes the riverbed and can make familiar wading routes unsafe. Do not assume a river is safe simply because you have crossed it before. If in doubt, fish from the bank, avoid deep or fast water and do not take unnecessary risks for a cast.
At Peaks Fly Fishing, high water is an opportunity to rethink where fish are holding rather than simply fishing harder. Focus on the softer water, get the flies to the correct depth and make controlled drifts. Trout and grayling are often still feeding well, but they will usually be in different places.
## Recommended Equipment
### Rods
* A 9ft #4 or #5 rod is suitable for most high-water trout and grayling fishing.
* A 10ft #3 or #4 rod provides extra reach and line control for nymph fishing in stronger currents.
* On larger rivers, an 11ft nymphing rod can be a good choice. The extra length improves reach, line control and depth control when fishing longer runs, deeper water or stronger currents.
### Fly Line
* Weight Forward Floating.
* A longer rod and controlled leader setup are usually more useful than changing to a sinking fly line.
### Leaders & Tippet
* Use a leader that allows the flies to reach depth while maintaining control.
* Shorter leaders can be easier to manage in fast, broken water.
* Consider stronger tippet where water clarity is reduced and fish are less likely to be leader shy.
## Peaks Fly Fishing Tips
* Fish the softer water close to the bank before moving into the main river.
* Look for inside bends, current seams, flooded margins and pockets behind obstructions.
* Use enough weight to reach the feeding zone, but no more than needed.
* Keep casts short so you can control the drift.
* Treat unfamiliar high water with caution and avoid unsafe wading.